Gold Cup betting halted following Kauto rumours

A number of bookmakers have suspended betting on the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup amid rumours about the wellbeing of favourite Kauto Star.

Paul Nicholls’ reigning champion was an impressive winner of the Commercial First Ascot Chase on Saturday afternoon, seeing off Monet’s Garden by eight lengths.

However, the Racing Post later reported that Nicholls’ stable star has sprained a fetlock and that the trainer will issue an update on his wellbeing on Sunday.

Stan James, totesport and Paddy Power were among the bookmakers to stop taking bets on the March 14 feature.